Printed Kethubah, surrounded by gouache borders. Signed “Ze’ev Raban, Jerusalem” in English and Hebrew.

RABAN, ZE’EV.

Jerusalem, circa 1940's.

Signed "Ze'ev Raban, Jerusalem" in English and Hebrew

This marriage contract, written in both Hebrew and English is set within a traditional architectural-inspired border. Raban’s kethubah’s design is comprised of a range of biblical motifs. At the base is the Jerusalem cityscape, flanked by columns set on resting lions and a Biblical passage. The text is bordered on each side by twelve cells depicting the twelve tribes (right) and similarly, the twelve months and corresponding zodiacal signs of the Jewish year (left). A grapevine and pomegranate design surrounds a central Biblical medallion appropriately depicting Eliezer - the Bible’s first ‘matchmaker’ alongside the young Rebecca.